Instructor Class Description

Colloquium: Introduction to History

Introduction to the discipline of history for new or prospective majors. Emphasizes the basic skills of reading, analysis, and communication (both verbal and written) that are central to the historian's craft. Each seminar discusses a different subject or problem.

Class description

PETER THE GREAT

Introductory seminar for new history majors, in which the focus will be issues of historiography and interpretation. While the focus will be the towering person of one of early modern Europe's most important rulers, the more substantial questions concern whether and how we can apply concepts of "modernization," how we can best measure change over time, what is the nature of the primary sources (as opposed to the secondary literature produced by modern historians). Russia in the era of Peter the Great and his immediate successors is an excellent example from which to learn about controversies in historical interpretation and thus the basics of historical method.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

Recommended preparation

No formal pre-requisites, although it cannot hurt to have had even a survey course covering European History between 1600 and 1800, and/or a survey course on Russia. This is the junior-level methodology course for history majors.

The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Last Update by Elizabeth A. Campbell
Date: 02/02/2005

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Modified:April 23, 2014